A Coronation Street actor is back on the cobbles and has posted some backstage photos.
A much-loved Coronation Street star has revealed she is back filming on the cobbles – and fans couldn’t be happier.
Actress Donnaleigh Bailey portrays PC Jess Haywood, the police officer introduced in 2017 as the mentor to popular character Craig Tinker.
Jess quickly became a favourite among the soap’s devoted viewers and has played a part in several major storylines over the years.
However, last year she was left heartbroken when Craig was violently killed in the line of duty by Mick Michaelis. Since then, the officer has made only a handful of appearances in the long-running ITV drama.
A much-adored Coronation Street star has announced she’s back filming on the cobbles – much to the delight of fans.
Donnaleigh Bailey plays PC Jess Haywood, the police officer who arrived in 2017 as mentor to well-loved character Craig Tinker.
Jess soon became a firm favourite with loyal viewers and has been involved in several major storylines over the years.
But last year, she was left devastated when Craig was tragically killed in the line of duty by Mick Michaelis. Since then, the officer has appeared only occasionally in the long-running ITV soap.
Sharing the news on social media, Donnaleigh wrote: “Forever grateful. Time on my favourite street playing my favourite copper, Jess. Some lovely stuff coming up on your teleboxes.”
Unsurprisingly, fans were thrilled to learn that Jess will soon be back on screen.
One fan wrote in the comments: “Every episode feels brighter when Jess is in it. Hopefully you’ll be back as a regular very soon.”
Another gushed: “You are such an incredibly iconic and hugely talented actress.”
A third added: “Brilliant! We’re hoping this means you’ll be a permanent fixture on the cobbles. You can never have too much Jess.”
Responding to the support, Donnaleigh replied with a praying hands emoji and said: “I absolutely LOVE playing Jess.”
Before taking on the role of Jess in Coronation Street, Donnaleigh had already appeared on the cobbles in a different part. In 2015, she played an unnamed nurse at Rosamund Street Medical Centre, caring for Simon Barlow after he severely injured his arm.
The following year, she returned to the soap as PC Woodruff, a role she portrayed from April until December 2016. After that stint, she was invited back to play Jess Heywood, a character she has continued to portray on and off ever since.
Away from Coronation Street, Donnaleigh has also featured in Casualty, Crossroads and Holby City. She additionally appeared in the BBC medical drama Doctors, which was cancelled in 2023 after running for more than two decades.
From 2006 to 2010, she played nurse Michelle Corrigan in the series. Her performance as Michelle earned her two British Soap Award nominations for Best Actress.
If you’d like it slightly more dramatic or more tabloid in tone, I can adjust it for you 😊
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